Raiders cut two players, clear even more salary cap space

As expected, the Raiders released veteran defensive backs Chris Johnson and Hiram Eugene. The moves save the Raiders approximately $6 million in salary cap space for 2012.
It’s conceivable that one or both players will be re-signed before the season starts. However, the Raiders had to come up with more cap space before the Mar. 13 deadline, and Johnson and Eugene offered obvious targets.
Eugene missed all of last season with a hip injury that he sustained in an exhibition game. Johnson suffered an injury in the regular-season opener, aggravated the injury soon thereafter and missed most of the season.
Both players carved out niches with the Raiders after arriving as free agents. Neither factored much into the Raiders fortunes last season, and they aren’t expected to be key roles moving forward, either.
Cutting Eugene and Johnson are the latest in a series of moves designed to remedy a serious overage on the cap for 2012. The Raiders entered the week some $28 million over — including the $6.2 allotted for safety Tyvon Branch via the franchise tag. They shaved $21 million or so by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Carson Palmer, defensive tackle Richard Seymour and free safety Michael Huff.
In other words, the Raiders are just about in compliance with the league-mandated amount. Even so, they still need to free up quite a bit more money so that they can be active in free agency and sign their 2012 draft picks.
Much of that can be taken care of by cutting defensive tackle John Henderson ($4 million) and restructuring the contract of linebacker Kamerion Wimbley ($11 million salary for 2012).

Follow me on Twitter: @corkonthenfl

Steve Corkran

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The Raider linemen were on occasion pretty good about taking away the RB’s first choice – and then often TERRIBLE about staying in their gaps and taking away any other options. They would all pursue the ball carrier, giving him ample room to cut back and find a wide open hole in the middle of the defense.

The linebackers also had huge problems containing on the edge, yes.

You don’t have a historically bad defense without all of the above being a problem.
>>>>

Agreed.

Quicker fix is LB, IMO though.

1960AutumnWind

Gdog

Can Curry or McClain be fixed by coaching? Can they be helped by trying to keep OL off them by having linemen that stand their ground? Both these guys are recent top 10 picks. I have more hope for Curry at this point.

M Lonetree

Blackbeard,

I had a GF quite a while back who was a student at IU when “the General” was BBCoach. She told me that a girl had been raped on campus and “the General” advised that the girl should’ve just enjoyed the experience.
BKnight is a POS.

Seymour Bush

Thec Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 4:55 pm

Allen knows that mmclain is not an mlb…He does not have the insticts to play it at this level. He was an ilb at bama, never was a big hitter, and arm tackles instead of running through guys….
=================================

Exactly. And you can arm tackle guys in college where the RB’s are 205 lbs and they are students. Here where they are 225lbs and world class athletes, arm tackling ain’t gonna happen.

YoungAmerican

Quicker fix is LB, IMO though.

———–

Oh, absolutely. The best the Raiders can hope for along the d-line for 2012 is some better depth and role players.

Aubrayo Franklin, for instance, wasn’t expensive for the Saints, and will likely be even less expensive this season. He’d allow the Raiders to use true 3-4 looks, though. Only a 2-down player, but VERY effective at what he does – and what he does is not something the Raiders currently have on the roster.

Lots more options for the Raiders at 4-3 LB this offseason. Very few options at 3-4 rush LB, though.

Gdog

I’m hoping better coaching can cure a ton of this… just the overall attitude from our DC’s over the last 10 years has been a problem… I think its too much cave-man “KILL THE QB KILL THE RB” and not enough DISCIPLINE.

If you watch the Ravens, its all controlled havoc.

All we have is the havoc.

bcz24

Ta’amu is going at the tail of round 1 or at the worst early round 2. We will have no shot to snack him

M Lonetree

Cry havoc! – Willie Shykesspud

1960AutumnWind

Lots more options for the Raiders at 4-3 LB this offseason. Very few options at 3-4 rush LB, though.
******************************

A really good potential 3/4 rusher is Wimbley that is why I think the Raiders are working so hard trying to make his contract work somehow.

edward teach

M Lonetree Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Blackbeard,

I had a GF quite a while back who was a student at IU when “the General” was BBCoach. She told me that a girl had been raped on campus and “the General” advised that the girl should’ve just enjoyed the experience.
BKnight is a POS.

********************************************************

I remember the incident. Not saying the guy’s a decent human being, just that his on-air commentary is a refreshing change from the corporate-speak we normally get from the worldwide leader.

Charles Barkley isn’t exactly a prince either, but I like his on-air personality for many of the same reasons.

http://www.raiders.com Raider O

Vegas,

Whats the score?

M Lonetree

Amen.

YoungAmerican

A really good potential 3/4 rusher is Wimbley that is why I think the Raiders are working so hard trying to make his contract work somehow.

—————–

Wimbley’s presence alone makes the Raiders a MUCH more versatile team. I do hope they find a way to keep him.

Hardline

I see really good teams’ DTs shed their OT of assignment, all ending up several feet inside the offensive side of the line, seemingly about 5 ft. wide (the DTs). At that point RB’s are upended and head planted or simply cut down. That is how the Steelers work it. It seems so simple: ball is snapped; DT’s move forward past OT’s and Guards; a few feet past the line of scrimmage; stuff the runner. The steelers do that year after year.

Maybe it’s possible that the Raider’s defensive coaches don’t know what they are doing and lack fundamental knowledge of defensive procedure.

Consider this: over the seasons, time and time and time again our CB’s tracking their receiver didn’t even turn their head when the ball came. That was standard Routt behavior last year.

It was inexplicable to me. If the CB’s can’t get procedure right, and the DT’s can’t get the procedure right, and the ends can’t get the procedure right, then maybe the organization just doesn’t have the staff who can get it right.

edward teach

YoungAmerican Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
A really good potential 3/4 rusher is Wimbley that is why I think the Raiders are working so hard trying to make his contract work somehow.

—————–

Wimbley’s presence alone makes the Raiders a MUCH more versatile team. I do hope they find a way to keep him.

********************************************************

Agreed.

Tricky70390

Bcz24 Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 5:05 pm
Ta’amu is going at the tail of round 1 or at the worst early round 2. We will have no shot to snack him
===================
Ta’amu is going no where near round 1 or round 2 after a poor showing at the Senior Bowl. We will have a chance at him.

Gdog

Gdog

Can Curry or McClain be fixed by coaching? Can they be helped by trying to keep OL off them by having linemen that stand their ground? Both these guys are recent top 10 picks. I have more hope for Curry at this point.
>>>>

I agree. I don’t see anything that tells me McClain has the instincts to be a great LB. If you think about it, the only time he stands out is when he doesn’t have to think at all… like when he blitzes… “Get the QB.”

I’m hoping a diminished role for McClain, and a focus on just the things he does well is the answer. That means we need a new MLB. Not sure who that could be.

Some of it certainly. McClain has been slow to diagnose plays and slow to the POA. One hopes that Allen and Tarver can get that corrected. If not, the one thing that has come out in the last 30 days is there is a new sheriff in town. And he does not take ANY sh**. His name is Reggie McKenzie.

Gdog

I still don’t think we are anywhere close to seeing much 3-4.

Three quality instinctive LB’s short.. aren’t we??

Or maybe I don’t understand the system well enough…

edward teach

Great article on how teams approach the draft and free agency. Some of you guys will already know a lot of the information contained therein, but it’s worth a read nonetheless.

McClain is laughable. Cartwheeling through the air while runners blow right by him. He only seems to make plays after it doesn’t matter, like in the Green Bay game this season.

If it quacks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and swims like a duck, it probably is a duck. McClain’s presence at the gunplay incident in Alabama demonstrates his a glaring lack of intelligence. It’s outrageous he was the official Defensive team captain.

He should definitely be released, if nothing else as a symbol to all Raider players the ax looms and will be used if necessary.

You can at least soften the blow by beating up on Preppie. You guys hammered UM today!

priesttj

YA get a clue will ya’? The RAVENS play a 4/3 2gap system which ask the DT to play avery different scheme the DON’T want them to penetrate. TK is doing exactly what the COACHES are asking him to do…………period

priesttj

The Giants run the exact same system the Raiders have run for years the ask their Dline to attack the QB and play the run on their way to the QB. That’s why the rush 4 only and pressure from inside as well as outside. They don’t want the DT to sit and catch they want them aggressive to the QB.

If you have a problem with the system then fine, but the DT’s in front4 attacking style is what they want…………..period

edward teach

priesttj Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 5:39 pm
The Giants run the exact same system the Raiders have run for years the ask their Dline to attack the QB and play the run on their way to the QB. That’s why the rush 4 only and pressure from inside as well as outside. They don’t want the DT to sit and catch they want them aggressive to the QB.

If you have a problem with the system then fine, but the DT’s in front4 attacking style is what they want…………..period

********************************************************

It’s going to be interesting to see what the scheme looks like next year. We should get some clues when free agency and the draft really get going.

Good to see you on here again, Priest.

http://www.raiders.com Raider O

You can at least soften the blow by beating up on Preppie. You guys hammered UM today!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Thank you. You are very Thoughtful.
Where is preppie?

priesttj

What’up ET, I see you and my man Lefty12 in here trying to keep order……huh LOL take care!!

edward teach

priesttj Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
What’up ET, I see you and my man Lefty12 in here trying to keep order……huh LOL take care!!

********************************************************

Haha. I know my limitations, and keeping order on a Raiders blog is way out of my league.

Raider O Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 5:47 pm
You can at least soften the blow by beating up on Preppie. You guys hammered UM today!
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Thank you. You are very Thoughtful.
Where is preppie?

********************************************************

His team lost by 22. He’s not going to come looking for you. You’re gonna have to draw him out, lol.

Thec

Whats Good TJ? Hope you have been well. Good to see yu posting…

http://www.raiders.com Raider O

You’re gonna have to draw him out, lol.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Set a trap for preppie? Interesting….

priesttj

Thanks fellas, Thec07 I’m just laying low………..and lovin’ it!

Have fun guys!!!

VanHeathen

PriestTJ, good to see you making a visit bro.
Don’t be such a stranger, glad you are doing well.

Carl Weathers

I wonder if McKenzie was keeping Eugene and Johnson on the roster until now to use their salaries agianst the cap in talks with Huff/Sey/CP’s restructuring.

YoungAmerican

priesttj Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 5:34 pm

YA get a clue will ya’? The RAVENS play a 4/3 2gap system which ask the DT to play avery different scheme the DON’T want them to penetrate. TK is doing exactly what the COACHES are asking him to do…………period

———

The Ravens run a hybrid system. Neither 4-3 nor 3-4. And yes, that’s exactly what I said. They keep the blockers off of the linebackers. I was responding to the idea that if you just plugged in the Ravens LBs behind the Raiders defensive line the run defense would automatically be awesome. That’s not the case at all.

Even the Giants, who as you pointed out run a similar system to the one the Raiders run, have a gap-eaters they rotate in. Bernard and Canty don’t generate a lot of sacks, but they specialize in occupying blockers and knocking them back off the LOS. Most importantly, they MAINTAIN GAP DISCIPLINE.

Kelly, on the other hand, sheds his blockers and chases the ball carrier.

It’s possible to generate pressure and still maintain gap discipline. Kelly doesn’t. Maybe you’re right, maybe every defensive coaching staff the Raiders have had since Kelly joined didn’t expect him to stay in his gap, and just wanted him to freelance. I have my doubts about that, though.

Regardless, different players have different skill sets. Kelly is still a highly-paid 3-tech defensive tackle on a roster with one other highly-paid 3-tech, and two younger, cheaper players. Personally, I’d rather the Raiders added a player who brings something different to the table. I don’t know of any defensive scheme that has been successful with two 3-tech DTs with questionable discipline playing next to each other.

By Steve Corkran
Friday, March 9th, 2012 at 4:13 pm in Oakland Raiders.

As expected, the Raiders released veteran defensive backs Chris Johnson and Hiram Eugene. The moves save the Raiders approximately $6 million in salary cap space for 2012.
It’s conceivable that one or both players will be re-signed before the season starts. However, the Raiders had to come up with more cap space before the Mar. 13 deadline, and Johnson and Eugene offered obvious targets.
Eugene missed all of last season with a hip injury that he sustained in an exhibition game. Johnson suffered an injury in the regular-season opener, aggravated the injury soon thereafter and missed most of the season.
Both players carved out niches with the Raiders after arriving as free agents. Neither factored much into the Raiders fortunes last season, and they aren’t expected to be key roles moving forward, either.
Cutting Eugene and Johnson are the latest in a series of moves designed to remedy a serious overage on the cap for 2012. The Raiders entered the week some $28 million over — including the $6.2 allotted for safety Tyvon Branch via the franchise tag. They shaved $21 million or so by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Carson Palmer, defensive tackle Richard Seymour and free safety Michael Huff.
In other words, the Raiders are just about in compliance with the league-mandated amount. Even so, they still need to free up quite a bit more money so that they can be active in free agency and sign their 2012 draft picks.
Much of that can be taken care of by cutting defensive tackle John Henderson ($4 million) and restructuring the contract of linebacker Kamerion Wimbley ($11 million salary for 2012).

I don’t know bout ya’ll, but what them Raidahs been doin lately make me happy. Lovin da koolaid. MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm-mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

ohioraider

Story of the offseason: cleaning up Al’s messes. Tragic.

Hardline

RAIDERMAN99, 591

Great post……

I have been saying the same thing for months.

Hardline

594.Ohioraider Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Story of the offseason: cleaning up Al’s messes. Tragic.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Good post Ohio. Thanks for that. AD’s partners should have filed an action years ago to enjoin him from continuing as managing partner. He oppressed his other partners, committing willful and also negligent acts. Unfortunately most believe genius doesn’t die, and an icon is always an icon. That is untrue.

The minority partners could have removed AL and should now keep a close eye on Mark.

I doubt whether AL is resting in peace in his Jewish heaven, but instead is being slapped around and beaten for his sins.

DJ Johnny

Imo ANY PLAYER on the defense who was on the field on that last drive against Detroit and SD’s last scoring drive is considered suspect and open to being cut, traded, or sent to a Bolivian prison.

I am still not in any frame of mind to accept that anybody on that defense has any value or usable skills or can contribute in any positive way to the Raiders.

Except Tyvon Branch.

In all my years wayching the Raiders I have never seen the defense fold their tents and bend over like that horrendous unit.

It was beyond even my worst Raider nightmares.

I remember thinking and saying out loud on more than one occasion “This isn’t really happening is it?” “This can’t be happening can it?”..etc.

I take solace though when I hear Tommy Kelly say “They saying we’re choke artists, but we ain’t no choke artists”.

Then what WAS it?

Chris in NY

ohioraider Says:
March 10th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Story of the offseason: cleaning up Al’s messes. Tragic.

————————–

What messes exactly?

What has McKenzie done that Al wouldn’t have? I can think of two things — firing Hue and cutting Routt. Both highly questionable moves.

Restructuring Palmer, Seymour, Curry and Huff? Al did that stuff all the time.

Cutting Eugene and CJ who were both due to make too much are not out of line with Al Davis either. Did the Raiders ever fail to get under the cap?

Not saying Al was perfect. By overpaying some guys he put us in greater danger of having to lose them, much like we had to let Nnamdi go. But let’s not pretend that McKenzie is in the midst of this dramatic roster overhaul or that he needs to be.

Hardline

DJ Johnny, 597

DJ, I second the motion: garbage in, garbage out.

DJ Johnny

I take back the part about being shocked about that last SD drive.

I had already seen the same movie, what….6 or so times already during the season, so I KNEW they wouldn’t be able to man up and make the stop to maybe win the division.

I understand though. After all…Denver had already lost and we were at home with our great fans cheering their lungs out in support as they had all year; and we did have them at their 1/2 yard line and all, and SD had nothing to play for really, so I understand how they would just fold like that.